Health and Safety ReportVolume 4, Issue 11 - December 2006

Two incidents reported in recent hazard alert bulletins, one from New Brunswick and the other from British Columbia, show how the lack of hazard awareness, poor communication, lack of training and unsafe work practices affected the health and safety of others. In the incident reported by Worksafe BC, four workers were exposed to a hazardous substance. And in the tragedy reported by the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission of New Brunswick, a man inadvertently was involved in the death of his co-worker.

Small Mercury Spill Spreads

When a worker in a medical office noticed small droplets of a silvery substance on her workstation, she didn't know what they were. The employer tried to clean up the spill with household cleaners and eventually the mysterious substance spread throughout the office. It was later identified as mercury, likely the result of a broken piece of medical equipment. Four workers were exposed to potentially harmful mercury vapours.

Mercury is a hazardous substance that can cause harm by breathing in the vapour, following skin contact, or ingestion. Long-term exposure to mercury vapour can affect the nervous system causing muscle incoordination, tremors, nervousness, and personality changes, eventually damaging the kidneys. Some countries, including Sweden and Holland, have banned the use of mercury in medical equipment. The devices are easy to calibrate and extremely accurate, however, and are still widely used in Canada.

Worksafe BC recommends replacing any mercury-containing devices with mercury-free alternatives. If mercury-containing devices are present in the workplace, Worksafe BC advises that the employers must develop and implement an exposure control plan.

• The exposure risk to workers and patients must be evaluated and the necessary controls (e.g., anti-spill plugs for manometers) implemented.


• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) must be readily available in the workplace - these can be obtained from the equipment manufacturers.


• Safe work procedures must be developed for the handling, storage, and use of mercury-containing equipment.


• Emergency spill procedures must be developed. Specific responsibilities should be assigned if a spill occurs. Ensure that all workers and supervisors are trained in these procedures.
• Any mercury exposures should be documented, and the health of the affected worker(s) monitored.

Poor Communication Plays a Part in Logger's Death

An experienced tree feller in a New Brunswick logging operation tried to cut down a dead, standing tree, rather than ask his colleague, an experienced skidder operator, to push it down, which is the recommended procedure. The man made a straight cut at the base of the tree instead of notching it. The tree remained standing, and the feller continued cutting another tree farther away.

Meanwhile the skidder operator came to the area to pick up other trees. Seeing the dead, standing tree, he did not try to push it down, but instead left his skidder's cab to place slings around the butts of other felled trees. Something pushed over the dead, standing tree. The tree fell on the skidder operator and killed him instantly.

Emergency responders arrived on the scene to find the feller in a state of distress -distraught over the death of his long time co-worker.

In a conventional logging operation, having a cutting plan - and sticking to it - is an essential life-saving practice. Forestry workers must always remove any known hazards and, most importantly, communicate clearly with one another at every stage of their work.

Safety Rules and Recommendations from WHSCC

• Dead, standing trees should be identified and pushed to the ground by skidders before work begins.


• If a tree cannot be felled by a skidder and must be cut by hand, fellers should notch trees properly and ensure they fell them completely to the ground. If a loose branch is hanging from a dead tree, workers must stay away from it completely.


• Any dangerous trees that are to be left standing should be clearly marked with ribbons. All workers must stay out of the marked area, and no trees can be felled into the marked area.

People who live in hot climates sometimes wonder how Canadians grow accustomed to frigid conditions. As much as we love our hockey, toboggans and ski slopes, Canadians are just as prone to chills, frostbite, wipeouts and hypothermia as anyone else. CCOHS provides this year-end reminder to stay safe both at home and at work this winter.

Bundle up, and wear extra protective clothing if you're exposed to cold temperatures. Keep your head, feet, face and eyes protected from the elements. Let it snow, if it must, but be ready for that slippery, sloppy, potentially dangerous white stuff. Walking on snow or ice causes many serious falls every winter, so watch your step. Dress appropriately. Wear footwear with good treads. Wear bright or reflective gear at night, and sunglasses during the daytime.

When walking on an icy or snowy surface, take shorter, slower steps. If you must walk on the road because the plough hasn't gotten to your sidewalk, walk against the traffic. Vehicles are sliding around as much as you are, so for your own safety, keep a watchful eye on them.

And when you are that motorist whose smooth, black road has become a snowy, slushy mess or as slippery as an ice rink, taking some simple precautions will greatly increase your chances of getting through the winter safe and sound. Keep your vehicle in good running order, and consider installing snow tires. Keep your antifreeze and fuel topped up. Make sure your windshield wipers work and are in good condition. Keep snow out of your exhaust pipe, and you'll keep harmful carbon monoxide out of your car.

Cold, snow and ice are not the only hazards of living in a winter wonderland. The lights of the holiday season sometimes burn too brightly when cooking, cigarettes, candles, and deep fryers cause house fires. These fires can be prevented by never leaving cooking, burning candles or cigarettes unattended. Keep in mind that most fatal fires in the home start at night. Have a smoke alarm on every floor, near the kitchen and outside all sleeping areas, because when you're asleep, smoke fumes won't necessarily wake you.

Carbon monoxide is another winter hazard that can kill you before you're even aware of its presence. It is an odourless, colourless, toxic gas that's emitted from automobile exhaust from attached garages, unvented kerosene and gas room heaters, leaking chimneys and furnaces, and back-drafting from furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves and fireplaces. Even gas stoves, generators and other gasoline-powered equipment can be sources of hazardous carbon monoxide (CO).

CO safety involves a number of important precautions. Install a CO detector and alarms near every separate sleeping area of the home, keeping them clear of furniture or draperies. Make sure appliances are installed according to manufacturers' instructions and local building codes. When using a fireplace, open the flue. Ask a professional to inspect, clean and tune-up your furnace, flues, and chimneys annually and promptly repair any leaks. Do not idle your vehicle inside an attached garage, even with the garage door open. Never attempt to heat your home with a gas range, oven or clothes dryer, and never use gasoline-powered tools or engines indoors.

With the right equipment, preparation and a certain measure of caution, you can fully enjoy -- and conquer -- the winter.

More winter safety tips


How to prevent CO poisoning from Consumer Product Safety Commission


Walking safely on snow and ice, from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration


Preventing fires in the home, from the Canada Safety Council


How to prepare a winter driving kit, from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

Workplace hazards don't always end at the workplace door. Depending on the location and design of the parking lot and what time of day you arrive and leave, a parking lot can present a risk of workplace violence. To increase your safety in any parking lot, you should have a plan, know where you can go for safety and how to call for help. You can reduce the risk of harm by practising the following safety tips.

Park as close as possible to your building or destination in a highly visible, well-lit area. If there is a parking lot attendant, park nearby. In an underground lot, choose spots that are near the stairs or a well-lit exit. When entering the building, use the main entrance rather than a rear or secluded exit.

Keep your valuables out of sight - this includes your purse, wallet and any recent purchases. If you must leave them in the car, lock your valuables in the trunk. When getting back into your vehicle, immediately lock the doors and keep your windows closed.

It's not always the parking itself that can be dangerous. It can be walking to and from your vehicle in the early morning, after dark, when there isn't a lot of traffic in the area or in a high-risk neighbourhood. In these situations, stay on well-lit streets and in the centre of the sidewalk. Stay away from potential hiding spots for predators, such as bushes, doorways, alleys and other parked cars. Cross the road or alter your route if necessary.

During times or at locations of high risk, walk with a friend, a co-worker, or a security officer. When someone has walked you to your car, give your escort a ride back to the main entrance so that he or she won't have to walk alone. If you must walk to your car without an escort, ask a friend or co-worker to watch you from a window, and wave to that person. It's even a good idea to wave to an imaginary person if necessary, to give the illusion that someone is watching.

Be aware of your surroundings. Walk with confidence, head held high, looking around. Look directly at people you meet but without staring. If you get an unsafe feeling, trust your instincts.

Stay alert. Avoid wearing headphones or being distracted by using your cell phone. Do not dig into your purse or bag, and do not carry heavy briefcases or bags that could get in the way.

Always have your car and building keys ready for locking or unlocking. Make sure you have quick access to a whistle or personal alarm, just in case. Before entering your car, take a quick look around, inside and even underneath it to make sure you don't have an uninvited guest. If you have any suspicions, walk away, go to a safe place and call for help.

Many parking lots are well designed, but if you are not sure, or feel uncomfortable - remember - when in doubt, err on the side of safety.

Parking lot safety is part of a comprehensive workplace violence prevention program. See CCOHS' pocket guide on workplace violence prevention or the e-courses.

Read the OSH Answers from CCOHS

Statistics have consistently shown that workers between the ages of 15 and 19 run a higher risk of getting hurt on the job than older, more experienced workers. Those who are new to the workforce are less aware of workplace hazards, and they often have no idea of their rights and responsibilities under health and safety law.

Alberta is reinforcing the safety message to young people through the school system before they even enter the workforce. In a joint initiative launched in September, Alberta Education and Alberta Human Resources and Employment (AHRE) partnered to help teachers raise students' awareness of workplace health and safety to reduce their risk of work-related injury, illness or death.

"Educating students in the classroom about workplace health and safety is an excellent way to prepare them for the realities that they will face at school and on the worksite," said Education Minister Gene Zwozdesky, on the launch of the program in September 2006.

Alberta high schools received a set of health and safety resources designed to prepare students for the workforce. These included a two-binder set of information on health and safety legislation, health and safety management, and a list of physical, chemical, biological, psychosocial and ergonomic hazards found in the workplace and their controls. A "Workplace Health and Safety Teacher's Toolkit" includes additional information on CD, as well as printed publications, safety bulletins and statistics.

Each high school and each school jurisdictional office received one copy of the Resources Binders and Teacher's Toolkit. Alberta Education's Learning Resource Centre makes additional copies available for purchase and Work Safe Alberta plans to post an online version on its website when it becomes available.

The program also includes a pocket-sized booklet called the "Work Safe Passport." When a student or young worker completes a health and safety course in school, on the job, or at another training institution, they can record it in their Work Safe Passport. It is hoped that the passport will help make young workers marketable in the workforce by demonstrating to employers that they have some knowledge of how to work safely.

"Education is the best way to prevent injuries and suffering," said Human Resources and Employment Minister Mike Cardinal. "The new Work Safe Alberta Passport will help employers and workers."

Details of the Work Safe Alberta Joint Education Project

A new e-course from CCOHS, Return to Work: The Basics, provides a practical overview of how to implement an effective Return to Work program. When work-related illness or injury occurs, returning the injured worker to the job as soon as possible is in everyone's best interest. The injured worker earns an income again and remains active and productive, and the employer benefits by retaining that valuable employee.

Employers have a duty, under both Human Rights legislation and Occupational Health and Safety legislation, to try to accommodate an injured employee. They are required to make every effort to provide suitable employment that's consistent with the worker's functional abilities and restores, if possible, the worker's pre-injury earnings.

Studies have shown that the longer an injured worker stays off work, the less likely the worker will ever come back. A gradual and timely return to work, on the other hand, is an important part of the worker's healing and recovery. Having a written, well-communicated return to work program is a proactive way for employers to help injured workers stay at work or return to productive and safe employment as soon as physically possible.

The e-course from CCOHS covers the effects of workplace injuries and illness. It defines "return to work" and explains its importance as part of a workplace policy. Case studies and other examples help illustrate how it works in the real world.

Participants will learn key return to work concepts, how to get employees back to work, how to manage and monitor workers' compensation claims, and what factors influence the likelihood of the injured worker returning. Each section includes a quiz to help measure and encourage learning.

The Return to Work: The Basics e-course takes approximately one hour to complete, and participants have the option to contact a CCOHS subject specialist for questions or clarification. The content is applicable to managers and supervisors, human resources professionals, and health and safety professionals.

In keeping with the high standard of CCOHS' other information products, this course is developed by CCOHS subject specialists and reviewed by expert representatives from the government, business and labour sectors. Written in clear, non-technical language, CCOHS e-courses are available in English and French.

Pricing and registration information for Return to Work: The Basics


More about the benefits of e-learning